menstrual cup, any thoughts?

I was in an organic/green baby store today and they also carried a lot of products for moms. The store owner convinced me to try the Menstrual Cup. I did end up buying one and I'm intrigued. It's a little daunting. I hope to have the courage to try it in my next cycle. I was just about to order some organic pads/tampons because I wonder if commercial brands irritate me. I seem to flare the most the week after my period and I read somewhere some women have delayed reactions to chemicals in pads. I also find the tampon string troublesome.

Do any of you use the menstrual cup? if so any tips? advice?

xo

not a chance in hell they spill gross!

Yikes! Have you tried it? The lady said no spills! ;/

Nope just heard horror stories, plus they would probably rub your vestibule so you may not want to do that, but hey give it a go- you may love it!

Hi,
I found the same that all other products irritated me and I had a friend who really liked the moon cup, so I thought I'd give it ago!
It wasn't for me, well at the time it was far to painful to insert and it's really tricky as the material is quite string and springy (only way to describe it) so once I have it folded to insert it spings back!

To be honest though my friend who doesn't have any problems also said it took her a couple of months to get used to it !

Good luck

Kt

I actually really LOVE my cup. It takes some time to get used to because it's so different but it's so much better than tampons. I have been using it for about two years now and have NEVER had any crazy spills. In the beginning it is easier to remove it in the shower though at least until you get the hang of it. In the beginning you might have a few spills when removing (hence, do it in the shower) but after you get the hang of it that should stop. I only use my cup or cloth pads, both tampons and disposable pads are bad news for me. Tampons literally suck all your natural moisture out and can leave stuff behind and disposable pads trap all the moisture in and are a breeding ground for bacteria and misery. If you go over to livejournal they actually have an entire forum for menstrual cups and you could pretty much find any information you ever wanted about them. There are many different sizes/lengths so if you're worried about it rubbing your vestibule you could go for a smaller/shorter one. Good luck!

Thanks for all the info girls!! I did use my new cup for a few days of my cycle. I had some difficulties but I did like not having a tampon string. I will try it again! I think I am going to try a smaller size. I felt a ache like sensation vaginally and wondered if the rim of the cup was a little wide or too big. I love the concept and hope it works!! Thanks for the advice!
xo

I can only use one when I'm entirely or mostly in remission, although for me the problem is more my sensitive bladder. Don't use the Mooncup, it's fairly large and thick and stiff. Try the Meluna soft in the smallest size you can get away with. You'll probably need to buy a 2mm mini hole punch (eBay, for instance, they're cheap) and add a couple of holes, as the Melunas have only two holes and they are tiny, which makes them harder to open.

If you can tolerate them, they are wonderful. So much cleaner than any of the alternatives, far less likely to leak, they hold more blood so you don't have to change them as often, and with any luck you won't feel them at all once they're in. Plus you can have non-penetrative sex with them in. And they save a fortune and are great for the environment. Tampons are horribly irritating things, and disposable pads aren't much better. When I can't tolerate a cup, I use cloth pads instead.

By the way, I've used a cup for about six years and never had a single spill.

I second the recommendation for the LiveJournal community, it's excellent.

One nice thing about Meluna cups is that you can get the ball stem, which is far less likely to irritate your vestibular area, and then you can even cut it off depending on how low your cup sits. I have two cups, a small soft with no stem and a small mini soft with the ball stem, which makes them both 45mm long. I use the mini most of the time, I'm 4'11 and a very light bleeder, and just use the small on my heavier day.

Lucky you. I bleed like Niagra falls on crack. But I medically stopped my periods for the time being. Thank you GOD!